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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Inverness => Topic started by: Fergie38 on Thursday 04 December 08 22:51 GMT (UK)
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While ancestor hunting on the Isle of Skye I reached the village that is marked on the map as 'Bracadale' but the sign at the side of the road as I entered the village did not say 'Bracadale', it said something else and I don't recall what it was.
Can anyone help.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee209/38fergie/Roots%20Chat/BracadaleChurchfromhill.jpg)
I took this photo of the village, looking northwards, with Bracadale Parish Church in the foreground.
Cheers
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Hi
Fabulous photo
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Hi Fergie
I think that's the view from the really windy steep road into ....Struan.....just before Bracadale...does that ring any bells?
Great photo!
Christine
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Struan is over the crest of the hill at the top of the photo. It's about 3/4 of a mile from where this photo was taken
When I took the shot, I was standing on the B885 road from 'Bracadale' to Portree just at its junction with the B863.
When I asked a local for directions, he wasn't very happy about me 'working' on my family tree on a Sunday. He must have informed the church minister about me and that's whose car can be seen standing at the church door. He arrived just as I was about to take the photo. His first action was to check the grave site to see if we were still there (we had just left) and then he spotted us above him on the hill. After watching us for a few minutes he vanished into the church. We left then ...incase he was sending for re-enforcements.
On the other hand, maybe the minister had arrived with friendly and helpful intentions. :)
Cheers.
Fergie
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It's still part of Struan even though the Struan sign is over the hill!
The Parish is known as Bracadale.
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It's still part of Struan even though the Struan sign is over the hill!
The Parish is known as Bracadale.
I've just returned from Skye. I was wrong - the village is actually Balgown but it's generally accepted as part of Struan even when it comes to Postal addresses.
The Gaelic is Baile na Gobhan - Gobhan means little hill.
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What a great photo.
I thought times had changed! With a girlfriend, I rode a bike 12,000 miles (amateur bike-rider!) around Scotland in the early 1950's, staying at Youth Hostels, and we were strongly advised not to ride on Sunday's or to travel by bus, etc. ; this was particularly applicable to the West Coast.
Am interested in Skye and Raasay connections. The ancestors (McLeod) of my husband John MacLeod (originally from Inverness) were from Hallaig, on Isle of Raasay, and one of the children of the family was born at Bracadale, Isle of Skye. Another son Murdoch McLeod moved from Orisaig (they had been evicted from Hallaig in the early 'Clearances' and moved to Orisaig) to Kirkhill, and married Barbara Chisholm of Kiltarlity. Their children were all born in Kiltarlity.
Barbara Chisholm's parents were Catherine Kennedy who was b. Glenco(e) 1801 & John Chisholm b. 1796 Kiltarlity, but a relative has found a connection with another Catherine Kennedy, in the 1841 Census for Raasay, and also a James Kennedy age 35, living in Screapadal, and he believes that there is a family connection...perhaps a cousin? Anyone have any information? Ruth MacLeod in Australia
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I am really surprised that Skye hasn't changed in all the years since I used to visit, my maternal grandmother was from Kilmuir in Skye and we used to get the peat in on a Saturday and even the porridge was cooked Saturday so it just had to be heated on a Sunday.
We went to church in a pony and cart, this was 1940's to early fifties.
wini
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My upbringing in the 1950s was as you describe, with precious little done on the Sabbath! We even took in the water on Saturday! I remember arguing with a teacher about what could and couldn't be done that day - I asked if we were meant to turn a blind eye if we saw a lamb caught in a fence, for instance! I was being stupidly controversial, of course, just pushing boundaries!
Skye has certainly changed with the times. One shop and a garage were trading in Dunvegan on Sunday, so that aspect has changed. Portree, of course, has the Co-op which opens on Sunday and are soon to have a Tesco which will no doubt open 24 hours. I think you would see a big difference now.
I would say the major change is in the nationality of the population. As the Sgiathanach dies out, the empty houses are sold to (usually) English people. They bring with them different needs and values and so the old ways of "keeping the Sabbath" has altered.
By the way, I have no problem with those so called "incomers". I would rather see permanent residents of whatever nationality than village after village of empty holiday homes, which can be the case.
The reason goes back a long time - the young go away to College or University usually in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow. By the time the period of education is over, they have made new friends or have prospect of work in the city so they delay returning to Skye.
Then they marry and have their families - and before you know it, yet another generation talks about their memories of Granny Skye and the life they see for a week or two!
I know - it's happened to me and also the rest of my family. Granted two of five of my family returned to Skye but the rest of us have made our lives off the Island.
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CWOODY
this happened to our family too, but I suspect there still may be some descendents living there.
Are there any resources available for tracking possible relatives, who might be able to help with the ancestors?
wini
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Hi Wini
Perhaps we need to discuss! I also have Campbell and MacAskill!!
My maternal grandmother was from Reinitra (Beaton) and grandfather (Campbell) from Glendale. However, his sister went to Marishadder and there are relations in Bracadale also - possibly including the person who checked the church as posted earlier in this topic!
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The reason I was in Skye was to have a look at the place my G. G. G. G. Grandfather was born
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee209/38fergie/Roots%20Chat/Tree-W.jpg)
Just thought I would try posting a chart here to see how it worked out.
Cheers
(Mmmm...Not very legible. I will have to think of something better, unless someone knows of a good way to do it)
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Awesome chart. I'm impressed! I have some Skye ancestry too, including MacAskill and Campbell. So far have found them in the parishes of Bracadale and Duirinish, late 18th and early 19th centuries. Will post more later when I have time. Leaving this coming Wednesday for two weeks in Scotland. (Skye, then East Lothian)
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Glad you liked the chart and your posting reminded me that it was there.
I will really have to get back to this branch of my tree and do some research on the birth marriages and deaths of John, his wife Mary Ann and his siblings. Same thing with John Moffat McLean and his siblings.
That will have to wait though until my next visit to the GRO and goodness knows when that will be.
I wish you luck on your visit to Skye and hope that the weather is reasonably kind to you.
Cheers.
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I am very interested in your MacLean Tree, as I think there might be a link with my MacLeans, as they also came from Bracadale, and a lot of the names are the same, my g.g.grandfather was Lachlan MacLean who was married first to Isabella MacDonald and had four sons Hector,Ewan Angus (my g.grandfather)and Norman and four daughters Chirsty,Catherine,Margaret and Mary, his second wife was Ann MacPhie and they had one daughter Margaret, I do not know if there were any more from Anne.
I was also very interested in the photo of Balgown as it is there I was brought up, and the MacLeans are buried in the churchyard in the picture.
I would love to get in touch with you regarding the MacLean.
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Hello eachann.
I would certainly be interested in knowing more about your g g grandfather and finding out if he is in fact the brother of my g g grandfather James Moffat McLean.
I didn't see any McLean headstones in the churchyard in the photo but there were some at the 'new' church just up over the hill.
Took this photo so I could check up on the names when I got home. You might find it of interest.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee209/38fergie/Roots%20Chat/31HectorMcLeanheadstone.jpg)
Cheers.
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Hello Fergie38,
The picture of the gravestone you attached to your message is of my grandfather and grandmother, who are actually buried in the old graveyard in your other picture, when my aunt Effie died who is buried there and who's name is also on the stone we decided to put my grandparents names on the stone and my uncle John's name who was killed in Germany during the war, there is a stone beside the one you attached which is inscribed William Campbell and Jessie MacLean, they were my parents.
I would like to send you a disc of my MacLean tree so that you can compare it with your MacLeans as I think there might be a connection,I would also like to find out more about your MacLeans, I am not sure if I can give you my email address on this site or not, as I am new to this site, please advise.
Thanks eachann
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Eachann
I know you won't be able to add your email address and as you're new you can't PM a member either (at least I think that's still the case).
However, Fergie can send you a message with his email details and you can take it from there. Hope you get on okay with it.
I have loads of Campbells but most are in Glendale and thereabouts. I think it's possible they may have originally lived in Bracadale but if so it was before 1840.
Moving forward to last century, do you know of a William Campbell (b. 1911) from Struan who was a Postmaster at one time?
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eachann.
Do you know who the parents of your Hector are.
The Hector on the headstone And my Hector have a different years of birth.
I spoke to the owner of a small hotel just about five or six miles north of Balgown who, I was told by locals, was a bit of an expert on the Skye McLeans. He said that the folks named on Hectors headstone were related to him.
I have the name of the hotel and his name noted somewhere. I will PM them to you. (If I can find them)
I have attached two of the other headstones photographed on that day with the intention of researching the names. The first one is your family and you might know who the second belong to.
I will PM you with my email address.
Cheers.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee209/38fergie/Roots%20Chat/30WJessieMcLeanheadstone.jpg) (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee209/38fergie/Roots%20Chat/32W-HelenMcLeanheadstone.jpg)
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Fergie38,
Hector's parents name were Angus MacLean and Jessie Cameron,
The second stone is of Doanald MacPhee from Harlosh Dunvegan, I do not know where his wife Helen MacLean was from.
Eachann
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Oh what a shame.
There is no connection between your Hector and mine. :'(
It would have been nice, and interesting if there had been some sort of link.
Cheers.
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Hi, I'm new to RootsChat. I joined because I came across this thread when I googled "Bracadale". My Bracadale ancestors are John McLean and Mary Morison (born c1780) who lived at Drynoch. Their son, Donald and his wife came to Australia in 1837 on the "Midlothian". I've started making a database of people who lived in Bracadale in the 1700s and 1800s because, as you probably know, the parish registers aren't very detailed or complete. I don't think I realised what a big job it was when I took it on. Anyway, any contributions gratefully accepted. I'll make a webpage of my results when I get a bit further with it. Jacqui
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In my husband's McLeod/MacLeod family tree, an ancestor Malcolm McLeod b. 1804 Hallaig, Isle of Raasay, was married to a CHIRSTY McLEAN, b. 1807 Hallaig, Isle of Raasay, died 5th September, 1875 Beauly.
"Eachann" - I notice you have a Chirsty McLean in your tree - is there a connection? Ruth Macleod, in Australia
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Visited Skye the last week of October 2009 and found it wet and windy five days out of seven. Still enjoyed showing my sister around our ancestral places. (Stayed at cosy Roskhill up on the way to Dunvegan.)
Bracadale-related folks in my database include John Lamont, b. 1771 and Murdoch (his son) born ca. 1800 and married in the Parish of Bracadale 10 Jan. 1831. The wife of Murdoch Lamont (also found in at least one record as Murdow Lamond) was Euphemia (Effy) MacRae, b. 1802, Bracadale. Siblings included: Marion, Ann, Angus (who married a Mary Campbell at Bracadale), Mary, and possibly a Margaret. Their parents were Donald MacRae, b. ca. 1780, married to Catherine MacAskill, ca. 1800. He died 15 June 1860 in Harlosh but is buried at Harport. Probably this MacRae family hailed from the Carbost area.
Ring a bell with anyone in researching or living in the area?
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CWOODY,
My granmother was Mary Campbell, she married John Ross of Marishadder, she was originally from Glendale.
She died in the early 50's (Maybe 1951)
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Did anyone find a connection with the Christy McLean in my husband's tree, with those you mention, eachann?
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I visited Skye, and Bracadale in particular last year with my dad. The church in the first picture that started the thread is what we went to see. My great great grandfather, John MacLean was the minister at the church, which use to be called "Wee Kirk". My great grandfather was born in the manse at the top of the hill (which has obviously been redone). John MacLean used to take a boat to all of the surrounding churches to preach. In the original picture of Wee Kirk, in the thorny bush in the back are gravestones of what seems to be all of John MacLean's siblings...
I am going to contact my grandmother for more information, but I believe my great grandfather's name was Ewan, my grandfather's name was Mac McLean, my mom's maiden name is McLean, and my first name (what I go by) is McLean.
My grandmother and grandfather took this same trip 25 years ago, and were able to find much, much more. My grandfather has unfortunately passed away, but my grandmother has our direct lineage, all the way back to Perth (i think).
I just joined this forum for this reason, and would be very interested in hearing more about this, and trying to find some links to relatives in here.
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Hi McLean,
I also have McLean ancestry from Bracadale (but there were a LOT of McLeans in Bracadale), however Ewan is a name that crops up in my family. What year was your Ewan born and what was his mother's name?
Jacqui
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Ewen was born in 1892 and died in 1979 (lived almost 80 years), He had a son named John Malcolm McLean, who is my great grandfather. Ewen's mother's name was Barbara Cruikshanks. His father's name was John McLean.
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My Bracadale ancestry spans a few families, and a few different locations. John Nicolson of Harlosh, Duirinish married Ann Gillies (or McRae) of Carbost, Bracadale. Ann was the 'natural' daughter of Lachlan Gillies of Fiskavaig, and Christina McRae of Carbost. Christina never married. She was the daughter of John McRae & Ann McDonald, presumably also of Carbost.
John Nicolson and Annie Gillies had the following children:
Magnus Nicolson, b. 1845
Catherine Nicolson, born circa 1850
Janet Nicolson, born 1852
Anne Nicolson, born 1854
John Nicolson, born 1856
Donald Nicolson, 1859
Both Janet & Anne died (Janet age 23, Anne aged 17); the other four children went on to have families of their own, though both Magnus and Catherine moved away from Skye to Glasgow. Magnus ultimately settled in Cumbrae, Bute, and Catherine stayed on in Glasgow and married Adam Grewar.
John and Donald were both stillmen at one time or another at Tallisker.
I am interested in the McRae branch; I believe that Christina was related to most McRaes in and around Carbost. As for the Gillies line, I can only find one entry for a Gillies family at Fiskervaig in 1841, that of Alexander Gillies and his wife Mary. Not sure if they are related as I have nothing on Lachlan Gillies save his name on Annie Gillies birth entry in the OPR.
For those of you who have been to Bracadale - how many places of burial are there? If I were to go to Carbost, would it be likely I'd find evidence of my ancestors buried there? Are there many stones? I did most of my research on this family 8 years ago and haven't revisited it much since; I'm hoping there are other resources on the area now, if not official records on births, etc. Any input appreciated.
Cheers,
Edie
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May be a coincidence but by great great great gandfather, Murdoch Ferguson (1810 - 1890) happened to marry a Bracadale lass named Anne McAskill (1811- 1884) in about 1837. They and their children emigrated to Australia in 1855. Do either of those names dovetail into your research?
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Hello Oldnomad.
Welcome to RootsChat.
Sorry but I have no connection to any Fergusons from that part of the country.
Cheers.
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mcleanm913 I'm a bit puzzled that John MacLean's siblings would be buried there because John was actually from North Uist rather than Skye:
The 1881 Census return for Bracadale shows
Name: John McLean Age: 40 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1841 Where born: N Uist G, Inverness Shire
Occupation: Minr Of Bracadale Parish
Spouse's name : Barbara D McLean
Registration number: 109
Registration district: Bracadale
Civil parish: Bracadale
County: Invernessshire
Address: Balgoun
ED: 3 Household schedule number: 10 Line: 6 Roll: cssct1881_31
Household Members: Name Age
John McLean 40
Barbara D McLean 23 born Kirkend St, Kirkcudbrightshire
Agnes McLeod 23 from Bracadale, servant
William Cameron 16 from North Uist, servant.
Hope this helps.